APA Justice fully supports and is a partner with The Yellow Whistle Project , which officially launched on April 19, Patriots Day, 2021. The project was started by Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang and her husband Oscar Tang, Li-En Chong, Ken Tan, Anne Martin-Montgomery, and Cassandra X Montgomery in response to the anti-Asian hate and violence. In nature, yellow signals the advent of spring, bringing hope, optimism, and enlightenment. In America, yellow has been weaponized against Asians as the color of xenophobia. The whistle is a symbol of self-protection and solidarity in our common fight against historical discrimination, anti-Asian violence, and racial profiling. It has a universal purpose - to signal alarm and call for help - for all Americans. We are whistleblowing to fight back against the stereotype that Asians are a silent minority. We shall not remain silent, because we belong! In Minnesota in early January 2026, community members once again sounded whistles and brought attention to federal immigration enforcement after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis. Her wife, Becca Good, stated: “We had whistles. They had guns. ” These events sparked weeks of protests, in which residents used whistles to monitor federal enforcement activities and draw attention to concerns about excessive use of force. Learn more Free whistles are being distributed through a network of outreach partners in New York City and throughout the continental U.S. Priority will be given to 501(C)3 organizations with demonstrated strong community ties. Distribution is managed by regional hubs, including APA Justice. The supply of whistles has been increased from 100,000 to 200,000 and now 500,000. The campaign is turning into a movement and a platform beyond the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. On September 5, 2021, Axios reported on How the yellow whistle became a symbol against anti-Asian hate. Read article See Yellow Whistle activities happening throughout the country The Yellow Whistle Campaign Make a Difference

December 2025 Meeting Summaires Dec 1, 2025 Read November 2025 Meeting Summary Nov 3, 2025 Read October 2025 Meeting Summary Oct 6, 2025 Read September 2025 Meeting Summary Sep 8, 2025 Read August 2025 Monthly Meeting Summary Aug 4, 2025 Read July 2025 Meeting Summary Jul 7, 2025 Read June 2025 Meeting Summary Jun 2, 2025 Read May 2025 Meeting Summary May 5, 2025 Read April 2025 Meeting Summary Apr 7, 2025 Read March 2025 Meeting Summary Mar 3, 2025 Read February 2025 Monthly Meeting Summary Feb 3, 2025 Read January 2025 Meeting Summary Jan 6, 2025 Read Monthly Meeting Summaries APA Justice conducts monthly meetings and publishes the meeting summary on this website. Participation is by invitation only. Due to limited capacity, invited participants are typically active and recognized organizations and concerned individuals. Please send an email to contact@apajustice.org if you have interest. < < 1 1 1

Newsletter - #376 Message from Rep. Judy Chu; Gary Locke Honored; Chinese Americans; Science Reports; + #376 Message from Rep. Judy Chu; Gary Locke Honored; Chinese Americans; Science Reports; + In This Issue #376 · New Year Message from Rep. Judy Chu · Gary Locke Honored for His Public Service · U.S.–China Rhetoric Shapes the Lives of Chinese Americans · Science: Tables Turned and Brain Drain · News and Activities for the Communities New Year Message from Rep. Judy Chu In a Lunar New Year message to APA Justice during the monthly meeting on February 2, 2026, Congresswoman Judy Chu 赵美心 —Chair Emerita of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)—welcomed the Year of the Horse as a time to renew energy, focus, and commitment to the issues impacting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. Reflecting on her 2015 call to organize against the growing racial profiling of Chinese scientists and researchers, Rep. Chu credited that moment with helping catalyze the formation of the APA Justice Task Force. She expressed deep appreciation for APA Justice leaders, including Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 , Steven Pei 白先慎 , and Vincent Wong 王文奎 , whose sustained advocacy over the past decade has been critical in confronting discrimination, defending civil rights, and educating the community. Rep. Chu highlighted major civil rights battles of the past year, including efforts to block discriminatory state and federal laws restricting land ownership by Chinese and other immigrant communities under the guise of national security. She underscored her leadership in reintroducing the Preemption of Real Property Discrimination Act with Rep. Al Green , removing discriminatory language from the defense spending bill, and preventing attempts to revive the xenophobic “China Initiative,” which disproportionately targeted Chinese and Chinese American scientists. She warned that national security must never be used as a pretext for racial profiling, particularly as renewed legislative and political efforts threaten hard-won progress. Looking ahead to 2026, Rep. Chu issued a stark warning about escalating threats under the Trump administration, citing attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion; the dismantling of the White House Initiative on AANHPI communities; assaults on language access; reckless public health decisions affecting hepatitis B prevention; and the terrorizing impact of aggressive ICE enforcement on immigrant families. She reaffirmed her commitment to accountability, transparency, and humane immigration reform, including her Visible Act and Reuniting Families Act . Closing on a note of resolve, Rep. Chu emphasized that organizations like APA Justice are indispensable partners in the fight ahead. “Together,” she affirmed, “we will keep fighting back and keep moving forward this Year of the Horse.” Amanda Yuen , Legislative Aide to Rep. Judy Chu whose portfolio includes issues affecting the AANHPI community, introduced the video. Watch the video of Rep. Chu’s new year message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcOcQG4mTH8 (12:04). G ary Locke Honored for His Public Service Former Washington Governor Gary Locke 骆家辉 was awarded the Elliott L. Richardson Prize by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) on January 28, 2026, recognizing a career defined by public service, integrity, and historic firsts. Locke is the first Chinese American elected governor in the United States and the first Chinese American to serve as U.S. Secretary of Commerce. He received the biennial award alongside former Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. NAPA President and CEO James-Christian Blockwood praised both honorees, stating they “exemplify a model of leadership rooted in commitment, excellence and service that will inspire future generations of public servants.” Locke told AsAmNews that the honor came as a surprise. “It’s not something that I sought,” he said. “I’m very honored to have been selected and to be in the company of Janet Yellen… and also in the company of so many other very distinguished Americans who have received this award.” The prize honors the legacy of Elliott L. Richardson , the only individual to serve in four U.S. Cabinet positions, and is awarded to leaders who embody his principles of ethical public administration. Locke’s path to public office began not with political ambition but with community advocacy. Raised in Seattle’s Chinatown, he started his career as an attorney intending to help immigrant families with wills and legal documents. His work preserving Chinatown and expanding Asian American employment opportunities eventually led others to encourage him to run for office. “The more I thought about it, I said, why not me?” Locke recalled. “If we really care about the issues affecting our community… we need to be at the table helping set the policies and making the decisions.” He often cites his success within his family’s immigrant story. Locke has spoken passionately of his grandfather, who immigrated from China and worked as a houseboy in exchange for English lessons. “It took our family 100 years to move one mile and into the Governor’s Mansion,” he once commented. Reflecting more broadly, Locke said, “Our family’s story is really the story of so many other Asian Americans and really all Americans… wave after wave of people from all around the world… has made America great.” Looking back, Locke identifies several defining moments: being sworn in as governor, being singled out by President Clinton during a State of the Union address, and later serving under President Obama as Commerce Secretary and U.S. Ambassador to China. Yet his favorite memories remain the town halls across Washington State. “People would just come up on a microphone and just talk about their concerns,” he said. “Meeting people from all walks of life” was the most rewarding part of governing. Now, Locke serves as the chairman of Locke Global Strategies and on the executive board of the Committee 100. Committee 100 is an organization comprised of prominent Chinese citizens and Chinese Americans that aims to bridge the gap between the U.S and China and to promote the full participation of all Chinese Americans in American society. In keeping with the prize’s spirit, Locke is donating his award funds to the College Success Foundation, which provides college scholarships to foster youth. “I am really humbled by this award,” Locke said. “And I just hope that I’ve made people proud.” Gary Locke has made all of us proud. Read the AsAmNews report: https://bit.ly/4brvBGd . Watch the video posted by the National Academy of Public Administration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJuTVuVJdC0 (1:46:35). U.S.–China Rhetoric Shapes the Lives of Chinese Americans A ccording to The Hill on January 29, 2026, a new survey conducted by the Committee of 100 in collaboration with NORC at the University of Chicago finds that a majority of Americans (54 percent) believe President Trump’s rhetoric about China negatively affects how people of Chinese descent are treated in the United States. The findings highlight a strong public awareness that U.S.–China relations—and especially the language used by political leaders and the media—have real consequences for Chinese Americans’ daily lives, including their sense of belonging, safety, and mental health. Cindy Tsai , executive vice president and general counsel of the Committee of 100, emphasized this connection, noting the direct impact that rhetoric can have on whether Chinese Americans feel secure and accepted in their own country. The survey also demonstrates that precision in language matters: respondents reacted more positively toward Chinese Americans when news coverage attributed wrongdoing to the “Chinese government” rather than to “China” broadly, reinforcing the importance of distinguishing governments from people. Despite high levels of unfavorable views of China overall, majorities of Democrats and Republicans support closer U.S.–China cooperation on shared challenges, and only a small minority favor banning Chinese students and researchers from the United States. Together, these findings suggest broad bipartisan recognition that rhetoric and policy choices not only shape foreign relations but also profoundly influence how Americans perceive—and treat—fellow citizens and residents of Chinese descent. Read The Hill report: https://bit.ly/4qKP3Tb Science: Tables Turned and Brain Drain According to a Science opinion on January 29, 2026, for much of the past century, U.S. scientific leadership has been driven by major national research initiatives, often spurred by geopolitical competition. That dominance began to erode about two decades ago as China surged ahead in engineering and materials science, and more recently in medicine and biopharmaceuticals. Guided by long-term planning—especially its 14th Five-Year Plan—China has streamlined clinical trials, reduced costs, accelerated drug approvals, and dramatically expanded its drug development pipeline. As a result, China has reached parity with the U.S. in drug development, with one-third of new drugs licensed by major U.S. pharmaceutical companies now originating there. Despite these shifts, the U.S. response has been muted, reflecting policy drift rather than a coordinated national strategy. Industry leaders warn that this complacency risks ceding the future of life sciences. They argue the U.S. is prioritizing domestic manufacturing while neglecting the fundamental research that generates long-term value and innovation—effectively “outsourcing innovation.” Beyond economics, the essay urges the U.S. to rethink its zero-sum approach to China, recognizing science as a global public good. America’s historical strengths—sustained public funding and openness to global talent—are weakening, even as cooperation becomes more essential. As the author concludes, just as today’s devices combine American science and Chinese manufacturing, future life-saving medicines may reverse that equation unless the U.S. reengages strategically, collaboratively, and ambitiously. Read the Science opinion: https://bit.ly/4aoq8yZ According to a Science report on January 26, 2026, there was a significant loss of STEM Ph.D. employees in the U.S. federal government during Donald Trump 's presidency. In 2025, over 10,000 doctoral-trained experts in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), and health fields left their positions, accounting for 14% of the total STEM Ph.D. workforce in federal agencies. This exodus was part of a broader reduction in the federal workforce, with departures outnumbering new hires by a ratio of 11 to 1 across 14 research agencies analyzed. The National Science Foundation (NSF), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy, and U.S. Forest Service were among the hardest hit, losing a significant percentage of their highly trained workforce. The reasons for these departures varied, with most leaving due to retirements, quitting, or buyout offers. While reductions in force (RIFs) accounted for some exits, other factors such as fear of being fired or disagreements with Trump administration policies also played a role. At NSF, nearly half of the departing STEM Ph.D.s were rotators—academics temporarily working at the agency—whose positions were largely eliminated. The loss of these experts resulted in a substantial reduction in federal work experience, with 106,636 years of experience lost in 2025 alone. The report underscores the impact of these losses on the affected agencies, which rely heavily on the expertise of STEM Ph.D.s for research and operations. It also provides detailed data analysis and visualizations to illustrate the trends. Read the Science report on the great government brain drain: https://bit.ly/3ZJPbGu News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2026/02/12 New York Regional Convening and Listening Session 2026/02/17 Asian American Career Ceilings Initiative "Personal Marketing and Mentorship" 2026/03/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. 02/12 New York Regional Convening and Listening Session WHAT : New York Regional Convening and Listening Session WHEN : February 12, 2026, 3:30 - 6:00 pm ET WHERE : New York University, Kimmel Center, Rosenthal Pavilion, 60 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012 HOST : National Asian Pacific American Museum Commission DESCRIPTION : The National Asian Pacific American Museum Commission is continuing its listening tour across the country and will be in NYC next! We invite anyone interested in learning more about the work of the Commission—including community leaders, academic professionals, and youth—to join us and share your input on what a future National Asian Pacific American Museum could look like. Learn more at www.nationalapamuseum.org . REGISTRATION : https://bit.ly/3ZhTQ2n 3. Celebrating 250: Building America’s Future Together WHAT : Celebrating 250 - Building America’s Future Together WHEN : May 12-14, 2026 · May 12-13: Legislative Leadership Summit: May 12-13 · May 13: 32nd Annual Awards Gala: May 13 · May 14: Military Leadership Appreciation Luncheon WHERE : TBD HOST : Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) DESCRIPTION : Join the APAICS community this May for our Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AA & NH/PI) Heritage Month events! This year's theme, "Celebrating 250: Building America's Future Together," is dedicated to honoring the deep-rooted legacy of AA & NH/PIs in our country and looking ahead to the future we're forging together. Learn More : https://bit.ly/4t6IgET # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF February 4, 2026 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

#375 2/2 Meeting; GAO on Agency Safeguards; Unjust Alex Pretti Death; ICE Targets Hmongs;+ January 29, 2026 Read #374 2/2 Meeting; Equity Pulse; "One Year of Trump"; Angwang Lawsuit; University Rankings+ January 26, 2026 Read #373 Support Dr. Jane Wu; Death of Renee Good/AAPI Reactions; ICE Detention; AAJC Update+ January 20, 2026 Read #372 OCA, AASF, C100 2026 Plans; Revival of China Initiative Stopped; Year of Fire Horse; + January 12, 2026 Read #371 1/5 Meeting: Chinese American Survey; Gary Locke; National APA Museum; Nation's Data;+ January 6, 2026 Read #370 1/5 Meeting; Officer Angwang; NY Education Equity; Surveillance Reforms; Govt Broken;+ December 29, 2025 Read #369 1/5 Meeting; 2025 Changed Research; CAPAC 2025 Review; ACLU Update; Summaries Posted;+ December 22, 2025 Read #368 Gary Locke Honored by NAPA; William Tong Elected; APA History in CT; NAPABA Updates; + December 15, 2025 Read #367 C.A.C.A./AAJC Updates; Jane Wu; Mass Detention Policy; Rising Fear/Collapsing Courts;+ December 12, 2025 Read #366 12/1 Meeting; Giving Tuesday; Yanping Chen; Internatonal Students; CAIR Sues; US Data+ November 28, 2025 Read #365 12/1 Meeting; CACA President Kin Hui; Will Kim; Statistician Uproar; AI Talent/Prize + November 24, 2025 Read #364 ICE Arrests and Deaths; Friends of NAPAM Veterans Day/Honors; APAICS Opportunities; + November 18, 2025 Read < < 1 1 1 Newsletters APA Justice began publishing a free periodic newsletter about 4-7 times a month in July 2020. You can subscribe here . Visit the Virtual Library to search the entire collection. Filter by year

Newsletter - #375 2/2 Meeting; GAO on Agency Safeguards; Unjust Alex Pretti Death; ICE Targets Hmongs;+ #375 2/2 Meeting; GAO on Agency Safeguards; Unjust Alex Pretti Death; ICE Targets Hmongs;+ In This Issue #375 · 2026/02/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting · GAO: Agencies Should Assess Safeguards Against Discrimination · Alex Pretti: Another U.S. Citizen Shot Dead in Minneapolis · Hmong Americans Among ICE Targets · News and Activities for the Communities 2026/02/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting The next APA Justice monthly meeting will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, starting at 1:55 pm ET. Rep. Judy Chu , Chair Emerita of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, will deliver a New Year of the Fire Horse message and a review of 2025 via video, in addition to updates from: · Judith Teruya , Executive Director, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) · Joanna YangQing Derman , Program Director, Advancing Justice | AAJC · Gisela Perez Kusakawa , Executive Director, Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) We are honored by and welcome the following confirmed distinguished speakers: · Frank Wu , President, Queen’s College, City University of New York · Rosie Levine , Executive Director, US-China Education Trust · Elizabeth Rao , daughter of Dr. Jane Wu, and Attorney Tom Geoghegan , Despres, Schwartz, & Geoghegan, Ltd. The virtual monthly meeting is by invitation only. It is closed to the press. If you wish to join, either one time or for future meetings, please contact one of the Co-Organizers of APA Justice - Vincent Wang 王文奎 and Jeremy Wu 胡善庆 - or send a message to contact@apajustice.org . ***** The deadline for signing the coalition letter by faculty members to support justice & honor the memory of Dr. Jane Wu is January 29, 2026, 12 pm ET. Effective January 1, 2026, Dr. Steven Pei has stepped down from his role as Co-Organizer of APA Justice. As a result, Dr. Pei no longer represents APA Justice. Please direct all APA Justice matters to Jeremy Wu and Vincent Wang, Co-Organizers. We thank Dr. Pei for his dedicated service over the past few years and wish him continued success in the future. GAO: Agencies Should Assess Safeguards Against Discrimination On January 22, 2026, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released Report 26-107544, “ Research Security: Agencies Should Assess Safeguards Against Discrimination ,” in response to concerns raised by members of Congress regarding potential discrimination in federal agencies' research security reviews. The report examines whether federal agencies ensure that their research security processes are free from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. While efforts to counter improper foreign influence are essential to protecting taxpayer-funded research, universities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders have warned that these initiatives risk disproportionately targeting certain demographic groups—particularly scientists of Chinese or Asian descent. GAO identified five core safeguards necessary to prevent discrimination in research security processes: · Transparent improper foreign influence review processes. · Collection and use of demographic data to assess agency processes. · Multiple levels of review in improper foreign influence reviews. · Training agency staff in nondiscrimination practices. · Leadership commitment to nondiscrimination. GAO assessed the implementation of these safeguards across five federal agencies—DOD, DOE, NASA, NIH, and NSF—which provided the largest share of extramural federal research funding in FY 2023 (October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023). The report concludes that agencies must balance the need to protect federally funded research from improper foreign influence with their legal and ethical obligation to ensure nondiscrimination. Systematic assessment of safeguards, GAO found, is essential to providing meaningful assurance that discriminatory practices do not occur. GAO also issued seven formal recommendations to improve transparency, documentation, and oversight of nondiscrimination safeguards. These recommendations are publicly posted, tracked online, and will be updated as agencies take action to implement them. GAO Contact: Hilary Benedict , Acting Director, Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics, at benedicth@gao.gov GAO Report: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107544 APA Justice will continue to analyze the findings and provide updates on the implementation and implications of this report. Alex Pretti: Another U.S. Citizen Shot Dead in Minneapolis According to multiple media reports, the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti , a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, during a federal immigration enforcement action on January 24, 2026 has become a major national story, prompting protests, legal action, and bipartisan calls for accountability. Pretti was shot multiple times by two U.S. Border Patrol agents in south Minneapolis as he filmed and attempted to assist a woman during an enforcement operation. Pretti’s death occurred 17 days after Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent. A third, non-fatal shooting involved a man wounded in the leg on January 14. The shooting locations for Good and Pretti in Minneapolis were about one mile apart. Federal authorities initially claimed that Pretti “approached” agents with a handgun. However, widely circulated video footage and eyewitness accounts indicate that he was holding a phone—not a weapon—and was attempting to help another person when he was tackled and killed. Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a valid permit, had no criminal history, and was widely described by family, neighbors, and colleagues as compassionate and deeply committed to caring for others, particularly veterans. Public response has been swift and substantial. A GoFundMe campaign established for Pretti’s family surpassed $1 million within days, reflecting widespread outrage and community support . Editorial coverage has also been sharply critical. A Washington Post editorial framed Pretti’s death as emblematic of broader concerns about the overreach and expanding role of federal immigration enforcement in U.S. cities and the erosion of civil liberties during the Trump administration’s second term, underscoring inconsistencies in official accounts and the urgent need for transparency and independent review. The Military.com profile further highlighted Pretti’s character and service, focusing on his work as a VA nurse and his concern about immigration enforcement practices. The report noted that local law enforcement leaders rejected the federal narrative of events and called for a cooperative, independent investigation to establish what occurred. Amid conflicting accounts and concerns that federal authorities restricted state investigators’ access to the scene, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison , joined by state and local officials, filed a lawsuit to preserve all evidence related to the killing. A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order barring the Department of Homeland Security and its components from altering or destroying evidence. The lawsuit has intensified national scrutiny of federal law-enforcement accountability and reinforced public demands for a full, independent investigation. Members of Congress from both parties have also responded forcefully. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) described the incident as “incredibly disturbing” and called for a joint federal-state investigation, warning that the credibility of ICE and DHS is at stake. Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) urged a “thorough and impartial investigation,” while Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) emphasized that immigration agents “do not have carte blanche” in the use of force. On the Democratic side, Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) accused federal authorities of a potential cover-up, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned that DHS funding could face opposition absent comprehensive oversight. Several House members, including Representatives Michael McCaul and Andrew Garbarino , have called for hearings and formal review of immigration enforcement practices. O n January 27, 2026, the Trump administration announced that Tom Homan was going to Minnesota to oversee ICE operations in the state as Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and several other Border Patrol agents are expected to move out of Minneapolis. Bovino has been stripped of his title “commander at large” of the Border Patrol and will return to his former job as chief patrol agent along part of the U.S.-Mexico border, where he is expected to retire soon. Two agents were put on administrative leave. Within hours of Pretti’s death, Bovino asserted that Pretti “wanted to … massacre law enforcement,” while DHS Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that Pretti was “brandishing” a weapon and acting “violently” toward officers. Neither provided supporting evidence, and their statements were contradicted by available video footage. A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered the acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd M. Lyons , to personally appear in court and warned of possible contempt proceedings, citing ICE’s repeated failure to comply with court-ordered bond hearings for detained immigrants. Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz said the agency has repeatedly flouted dozens of court orders, including by extending detentions or transferring detainees out of state despite explicit judicial directives. Calling the situation “extraordinary,” Schiltz said lesser measures had failed, setting up a potential confrontation between the federal judiciary and the Trump administration amid a surge of ICE enforcement in the Minneapolis region that has overwhelmed local courts and drawn sharp judicial criticism of the government’s conduct. Taken together, the public reaction, legal action, and congressional response underscore the national significance of Alex Pretti’s tragic death—and the rapidly growing demand for accountability, transparency, and clear limits on federal law-enforcement authority. Hmong Americans Among ICE Targets According to NBC News on January 21, 2026, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her , the city’s first Hmong and Asian American mayor, said it was “heartbreaking” to witness recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota, including the arrest of Hmong American U.S. citizen ChongLy Scott Thao and the fatal shooting of another U.S. citizen, Renee Good , during a separate operation. Speaking to KARE just days after taking office, Her said, “Nobody ever comes into an office and within the third day of being in office there’s an ICE shooting,” adding that moments like this define leadership: “This is the moment in which you are asked to lead, and so you step up and you lead.” St. Paul is home to the nation’s largest urban Hmong population, and Her said the incidents have deeply shaken that community. Her described watching video of Thao being removed from his home in freezing conditions as particularly disturbing, noting her personal connection to the family. “It was heartbreaking to watch somebody get dragged out of their home,” she said. “I don’t know how anybody looking at that could ever justify the treatment of another human being that way.” Thao’s family said federal agents did not present a warrant or ask for identification and disputed DHS claims that the operation targeted suspected sex offenders living at the residence. Her said she has since received “firsthand, personal accounts” from constituents describing aggressive enforcement tactics, including agents “going door to door” and “targeting you by the way that you look and the way that you sound.” The clash has escalated into lawsuits by Minnesota cities and the state to halt federal deployments, followed by Justice Department subpoenas of state and local leaders—developments that underscore intensifying tensions over immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and federal-local authority. Read the NBC News report: https://nbcnews.to/4qKFS5g News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2026/01/29-30 The Jimmy Carter Forum on U.S.-China Relations2026/02/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting 2026/02/03 The Equity Pulse with Frank Wu 2026/02/17 Asian American Career Ceilings Initiative "Personal Marketing and Mentorship" 2026/03/02 APA Justice Monthly Meeting Visit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. 2. Asian American Career Ceilings Initiative "Personal Marketing and Mentorship" WHAT : Asian American Career Ceilings Initiative "Personal Marketing and Mentorship" WHEN : February 17, 2026, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET WHERE : Webinar HOST : Committee of 100 Moderator: Peter Young , Committee of 100 Board Member and New York Regional Chair, and Chair of the Asian American Career Ceilings Initiative Speakers : · Raj Gupta , Co-Chair of the Board of Advisors, Johns Hopkins GUPTA-KLINSKY India Institute; Former CEO, Rohm and Hass · Bob Lee , Chairman of the Board, Blue Shield of California · Deb Liu , former President & CEO of Ancestry DESCRIPTION : Throughout the many events C100 has held over the years, one of the observations that comes out repeatedly is the importance of engaging in effective personal marketing, having a strong network inside and outside of the organizations that you are part of, and developing mentors. This event will feature insights from three accomplished panelists who have expertise on this topic from their current professional responsibilities as well as their own personal careers. REGISTRATION : https://c100-2-17-2026.eventbrite.com # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF January 29, 2026 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Issues Alien Land Bills This item is connected to a text field in your content manager. Double click the dataset icon to add your own content. Read More COVID-19 This item is connected to a text field in your content manager. Double click the dataset icon to add your own content. Read More The China Initiative This item is connected to a text field in your content manager. Double click the dataset icon to add your own content. Read More Warrantless Surveillance This item is connected to a text field in your content manager. Double click the dataset icon to add your own content. Read More

Read More 1. A Call to Stop Senate Bill 147 and All Alien Land Laws Friday, February 17, 2023 12:00 AM Read More 1. Bridging Nations: People-to-people Exchange in U.S.-China Relations Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:00 AM Read More 1. From Past Prejudice to Present Policy: The Impact of Land Ownership Exclusion Laws on Diverse Communities Wednesday, December 11, 2024 12:00 AM Read More 1. The Human and Scientific Costs of The "China Initiative" Wednesday, September 30, 2020 12:00 AM Read More 2. Fair Housing Rights & Alien Land Laws: Challenges and Advocacy for the Asian American Community Tuesday, March 4, 2025 12:00 AM Read More 2. Historical Re-Hash - Alien Land Law and SB147 Wednesday, March 1, 2023 12:00 AM Read More 2. Policy Needs for U.S. Science and Scientists Wednesday, December 2, 2020 12:00 AM Read More 3. Building Coalition Against “China Initiative” Discrimination - Fighting racial targeting of Asian Americans and communities of color, past & present Wednesday, February 24, 2021 12:00 AM Read More 4. Legal Resources and Policy Advocacy - How to Combat Racial Profiling Under the “China Initiative” Wednesday, April 28, 2021 12:00 AM Read More 5. The Mistrial of Professor Anming Hu under the "China Initiative" Wednesday, June 23, 2021 12:00 AM Read More A Dialogue Between the Academic & Asian American Communities and the FBI Thursday, June 6, 2024 12:00 AM Read More Capstone Town Hall: The End of The "China Initiative" Thursday, March 17, 2022 12:00 AM

Impacted Persons List Anming Hu 胡安明 Read more Baimadajie Angwang 昂旺 Read more Charles Lieber Read more Chen Song 宋琛 Read more Davis Lu Read more Franklin Tao 陶丰 Read more Gang Chen 陈刚 Read more Gee-Kung Chang 張繼昆 Read more Haizhou Hu Read more James Patrick Lewis Read more Jane Ying Wu 吴瑛 Read more Juan Tang 唐娟 Read more Kaikai Zhao 赵凯凯 Read more Kevin Wang Read more Lei Guan 关磊 Read more Lin Yang Read more Meyya Meyyappan Read more Mingqing Xiao Read more Qing Wang 王擎 Read more Simon Saw-Teong Ang 洪思忠 Read more Song Guo Zheng Read more Turab Lookman 特拉伯·鲁克曼 Read more Van Andel Research Read more Wuyuan Lu 陆五元 Read more Xiao-jiang Li 李晓江 Read more Xiaofeng Wang 王晓峰 Read more Xiaoming Zhang Read more Xiaoxing Xi 郗小星 Read more Xifeng Wu 吴息凤 Read more Xin Wang 王欣 Read more Yanping Chen 陈燕平 Read more Yanqing Ye Read more Yu Zhou, Li Chen Read more Zaosong Zheng Read more Zhendong Cheng Read more Filter by Category China Initiative NIH Other Sort by Alphabetical by first name Alphabetical by last name

Latest Posts Court Hearing and A New Movement Emerges July 24, 2023 We published a Special Edition of our newsletter to cover the July 18 court hearing on Florida's new discriminatory housing law. Read More Lawsuit Against Florida Senate Bill 264 May 22, 2023 A group of Chinese citizens who live, work, study, and raise families in Florida filed a lawsuit to combat Florida’s discriminatory property law, SB 264. Read More Texas House Bill 1075 and Senate Bill 552 January 23, 2023 Texas state representatives are attempting to stop foreign governments from purchasing Texas agricultural land. Read More Rep. Judy Chu's New Year Greetings and 2022 Review January 9, 2023 During the first APA Justice monthly meeting of 2023, Rep. Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, reviewed the accomplishments of 2022, highlighted by the end of the "China Initiative" and Sherry Chen's historic settlement. Read More Campaign to Oppose The Nomination of Casey Arrowood July 29, 2022 Academics, elected officials, and civil rights groups across the country are raising concerns about the nomination of Casey Arrowood to be US Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Read More APA Justice Calls for Release of Report on Review of "China Initiative" March 8, 2022 On March 8, 2022, APA Justice sent a letter to Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen, calling for the release of a report on the Department of Justice's review of the “China Initiative.” Read More Texas man accused of attacking Asian family over racist coronavirus fears pleads guilty to hate-crime charges February 24, 2022 Nearly two years later, a 21-year-old Texas man who attempted to kill an Asian man and his young child has pleaded guilty to federal hate-crime charges. Read More 12. China Initiative Ends February 23, 2022 Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen announced the end of the China Initiative. The 1,210 days of the Initiative were extremely damaging to individuals and their families, as well as the Asian American and scientific communities. The end of the China Initiative is a welcomed start to correct the harms it caused. APA Justice is committed to continue its work to address racial profiling and seek justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American communities. Read More 11. MIT Technology Review Investigative Reports December 2, 2021 On December 2, 2021, MIT Technology Review published two investigative reports on the China Initiative as newly appointed Assistant Attorney General Matt Olsen was conducting a review of the initiative. Read More < < 1 1 1 What's the best flavor? Activists Including APA Justice Resist New "Red Scare" Chinese Americans are increasingly finding themselves targeted by the US in what has become the new "Red Scare."

Newsletter - #31 Registration For 12/02 Webinar; EEOC Webinar #31 Registration For 12/02 Webinar; EEOC Webinar Back View PDF November 28, 2020 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Newsletter - #311 Stand w Asian Americans; Rights Tool Kit; Privacy at Risk; Trump Policies on Science+ #311 Stand w Asian Americans; Rights Tool Kit; Privacy at Risk; Trump Policies on Science+ In This Issue #311 · SwAA: Justice and Equality Through Law, Education, and Community · AALDEF: Immigrant Rights Toolkit · U.S. Personal Information and Privacy at Risk Abroad and at Home · WP : Trump Policies Sow Chaos, Confusion Across Scientific Community · News and Activities for the Communities SwAA: Justice and Equality Through Law, Education, and Community In the aftermath of the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings, where six Asian women were among the victims, Stand with Asian Americans (SWAA) emerged to combat anti-Asian hate and advocate for justice. In 2022, SwAA launched the Workplace Justice Initiative to address workplace discrimination, bias, and barriers that Asian Americans face in professional settings. Its mission is to protect and advance the rights of Asian Americans against discrimination at the workplace through three key activities: · Power of Law – SwAA provides legal support through a discrimination reporting portal, direct legal services, and a public relations strategy to raise awareness and advocate for workplace justice. · Education – The organization equips individuals and employers with human resources tools, educational workshops, and panels such as Shattering the Myth of Asian Passivity, Know Your Rights, and Leadership Empowerment to foster inclusion and leadership opportunities. · Community – SwAA supports mental health initiatives and amplifies stories to strengthen solidarity and resilience within the Asian American community. If you or anyone you know is experiencing racial discrimination at work or in business, you may reach out to SwAA for legal, education, and community support. SwAA's discrimination portal containing resources is here , and ways to support the SwAA mission here . Michelle Lee , President, General Counsel and Board Chair, and Brian Pang , Chief Operating Officer and Head of Partnerships will speak at the next APA Justice monthly meeting on March 3, 2025. AALDEF: Immigrant Rights Toolkit During the APA Justice monthly meeting on February 3, 2025, Bethany Li , Execuitve Director of Asian American Legal and Education Defense Fund (AALDEF), offered an Immigrant Rights Toolkit designed to inform individuals about their legal rights, particularly concerning expedited removal procedures. This toolkit is part of AALDEF's broader Immigrant Rights Program, which provides legal representation, policy advocacy, community education, and organizing support for Asian immigrants across various backgrounds. The program aims to promote humane and dynamic immigration laws and policies that uphold the dignity of all migrants. Here are some of the links to AALDEF's Immigrant Rights Toolkit : · Know your rights if you are detained and facing expedited removal (AALDEF) · Use this tool to request immigration documents to help prepare you against ICE (AALDEF) · Know your rights for dealing with ICE (Immigrant Defense Project) · Know your rights during an ICE check-in (Know Your Fight) · Know your rights if ICE comes to your workplace (National Day Laborer Organizing Network) · Know your rights as a worker, regardless of your immigration status (AALDEF) · Watch these videos about dealing with ICE in different scenarios (We Have Rights) · Print pocket cards to hand to ICE if they approach you (Immigrant Legal Resource Center) · Learn and stay updated on what the Trump Administration has done so far (Guttentag, Immigration Policy Tracking Project) U.S. Personal Information and Privacy at Risk Abroad and at Home According to an exclusive report by the Washington Post on February 7, 2025, security officials in the United Kingdom have demanded that Apple create a back door allowing them to retrieve all the content any Apple user worldwide has uploaded to the cloud, which if implemented would undermine Apple’s privacy pledge to its users. According to the report, the UK government has issued a "technical capability notice" to Apple under the Investigatory Powers Act, commonly known as the "Snoopers' Charter." The notice mandates that Apple create a backdoor to its encrypted iCloud services, enabling law enforcement agencies to access user data. Apple has consistently maintained that introducing such backdoors would compromise user privacy and global cybersecurity. In response to the UK's demand, Apple is reportedly considering discontinuing some of its services in the UK rather than compromising its encryption standards.Read the Washington Post report: https://wapo.st/3CHgF7U Here at home in the United States according to multiple media reports, the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) under billionaire Elon Musk has gained access to databases at the Treasury , Education and Labor departments that contain sensitive data about Americans, such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and financial transactions. Federal officials have been terminated or forced to resign for protecting access to these critical data systems. Unions, students and public interest groups have filed lawsuits alleging the administration of violating privacy laws by allowing DOGE access to the databases. On February 6, 2025, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia restricted access to a Treasury Department payments system that various DOGE surrogates had infiltrated at the direction of Elon Musk. In her ruling on Alliance for Retried Americans v. Bessent (1:25-cv-00313) , the judge stated that the defendants cannot “provide access to any payment record or payment system of records maintained by or within the Bureau of the Fiscal Service.” Tom Krause and Marko Elez , two DOGE-linked “special government employees” at the Treasury Department, were granted “read-only” access to Bureau of Fiscal Service systems “as needed for the performance” of their duties. According to The Washington Post on February 7, the Treasury Department is appointing Krause as assistant secretary, replacing David A. Lebryk , who resigned after opposing Krause’s efforts to access senstive government payment systems—a move Lebryk deemed illegal. Booz Allen Hamilton, a contractor running a threat intelligence center for the Treasury Department, reported that DOGE’s access to the payment network should be “immediately” suspended as it represented an “unprecedented insider threat risk.” Bloomberg later reported that the Booz Allen Hamilton's subcontractor had been dismissed.On February 7, 2025, the New York Times reported that U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer in the case of State of New York v. Donald J. Trump (1:25-cv-01144) issued an emergency order temporarily restricting access by DOGE to the Treasury Department’s payment and data systems, saying there was a risk of “irreparable harm.” Judge Engelmayer ordered any such official who was granted access to the systems since January 20 to “destroy any and all copies of material downloaded from the Treasury Department’s records and systems.” He also restricted the government from granting access to “special government employees.”Several members of Congress have publicly expressed concerns regarding Elon Musk's DOGE gaining access to the U.S. Treasury's federal payment systems. Congressman Bill Foster said in a February 3 statement , "Elon Musk is an unelected oligarch with no regard for national security, conflicts of interest, or ethical standards. Americans deserve answers as to why his team was given unrestricted access to the U.S. Treasury payment system, which gives them the ability to spy on U.S. treasury payments to private American citizens, as well as Musk's business competitors. This power grab is corrupt and unprecedented, and my colleagues and I are doing everything we can to put a halt to this." On February 7, 2025, District Court Judge John D. Bates denied the motion for a temporary restraining order in the case of American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations v. Department of Labor (1:25-cv-00339) . The AFL-CIO contends that granting DOGE access to Department of Labor systems could lead to conflicts of interest, especially concerning sensitive information related to investigations of Musk's companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring Company. They argue that DOGE's involvement might compromise the integrity of these investigations and potentially expose confidential data. Judge Bates' ruling stated that the union did not demonstrate sufficient harm resulting from the Department of Labor's actions. The judge ordered that the parties shall file a proposed preliminary-injunction motion briefing schedule by not later than February 12, 2025. The Education Department case, University of California Student Assocation v. Carter (1:25-cv-00354) , is pending. The Univrsity of California Stucent Association is the official systemwide student advocacy organization representing over 285,000 students across all ten University of California campuses.Two groups of FBI agents have sued the Justice Department to block any public release of a list of thousands of employees who worked on investigations tied to President Donald Trump or the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. On February 6, 2025, U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb of the District of Columbia ordered the consolidation of Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Assocation v. Department of Justice (1:25-cv-00328) and Does 1-9 v. Department of Justice (1:25-cv-00325) . On February 7, Judge Cobb issued a temporary restraining order (TRO), which had been mutually proposed by the parties. The TRO prohibits the government from publicly releasing any list before the court rules on whether to grant a preliminary injunction. The briefings for a preliminary injunction will be filed by March 21, 2025.As of February 9, 2025, the number of legal challenges to Trump administration actions reported by the Just Security Litigation Tracker has increased to 41.On February 7, 2025, the Washington Post reported the following summary of where Trump action court cases stand: WP : Trump Policies Sow Chaos, Confusion Across Scientific Community According to the Washington Post on February 6, 2025, President Donald Trump 's executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within federally funded programs have led to significant concerns in the scientific community. The National Science Foundation (NSF) suspended grant disbursements, leaving researchers without salaries. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed materials on clinical trial diversity from its website, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took down tools and data related to health disparities, including the Social Vulnerability Index and the Environmental Justice Index. These actions have disrupted ongoing research and raised fears about political interference in scientific endeavors. Dr. Sudip Parikh , CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), expressed concern, stating, "The scientific community is deeply troubled by these developments, which threaten the integrity and progress of our research."On February 5, 2025, Dr. Parikh testified at a hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on The State of U.S. Science and Technology: Ensurig Global Leadership . His written testimony emphasized the importance of a strong and adaptable American science and technology enterprise, highlighting the role of research institutions, industry, and the workforce in driving innovation and prosperity. Dr. Parikh stressed that the U.S. faces challenges from accelerating technological change, existential threats to public health and security, and growing international competition, particularly from China. He called for a comprehensive approach to strengthening the U.S. science and technology sector, advocating for reduced inefficiencies, investment in workforce development, and strategic research commitments. He also warned against actions that undermine the scientific community, such as spending freezes or policies that alienate international talent. Dr. Parikh concluded by urging the U.S. to adapt to new global realities and secure its future leadership in science and technology.Part of his testimony says,"The American science and technology enterprise is strong, but its continued strength is not guaranteed. We must be proactive in implementing our vision by being open to change and disruption without dismantling our foundational principles and strengths."Through an enterprise that includes industry, academia, and sources of capital to scale, we have turned the discoveries of the past 80 years into technological innovations that have increased our prosperity and security."Many of the structures and institutions that have contributed to our achievements are outdated. They were the result of a vision after World War II that the investments in science and technology we had made during a time of war should be continued during a time of peace. Over generations, we have made substantial and sustained federal investments in fundamental research — much of it carried out at our universities, research institutes, and national laboratories where research and education take place side-by-side. Industry translated and scaled discoveries into technologies and products with intellectual property protections that incentivized continued innovation. It was a relatively simple vision with profound consequences. It created the modern world."But we are at a crossroads. "Three things are happening at once. First, the pace of change is accelerating so rapidly that the tools and strategies that brought us here are insufficient to ensure our future. Transformational technologies are reshaping our way of life. Second, we face existential threats to our health; food supply and water security; environmental resilience; energy production, utilization, and storage; and our overall wellbeing. Third, more than ever, we are competing with other nations —particularly China — that rival us in talent, infrastructure, and capital investment and that can put our economic prosperity and national security at risk. China trains more scientists and engineers than we do; files for more international patents than we do; publishes just as many highly cited scientific papers as we do; and is leading us in several critical research and technology areas. "I know for all those here today what the answer is: We want America to lead."The good news is that we have a suite of significant assets that our nation can leverage. "We must recognize that the enterprise as a whole — from federal investment to workforce to industry investment to tax and regulatory policy — is what differentiates our nation from all others. "In addition to these holistic recommendations, we must stop hurting our own enterprise with self inflicted wounds. Two examples illustrate the point. "First, while we must recognize the global competition and take it seriously, we must not demonize people or international collaboration in the process. Our colleagues of Chinese, Indian, and other immigrant backgrounds make up a substantial percentage of the American science and technology workforce. They are colleagues and friends and deserving of respect. We must ensure that our drive to compete does not alter our humanity. When we make America less welcoming to scientists who are immigrants or those who have been here for generations, we only hurt our own competitiveness and opportunity for prosperity. In addition, science is a global activity. When we close ourselves off to international collaboration, we lose visibility to advances made around the world and slow progress for everyone."Second, last week, the announcement of an abrupt spending freeze on science and technology funding broke trust and hurt the S&T enterprise. This is the kind of action that, even if brief, can have a lasting negative impact. Many scientists, particularly those early in their careers, live paycheck-to-paycheck. I was most saddened to hear from these scientists who began questioning whether they should even continue their scientific pursuits or switch careers. Scientists and engineers are resilient, and I have no doubt that most will persevere because they care deeply about solving problems and better understanding the world around them. But every time we stop and start, lose focus, break continuity across funding and intellectual property protections, we lose some of the next generation of science and technology talent and hurt America’s competitiveness. "The stakes are enormous, the necessary actions are clear, and the time is now."Read Dr. Parikh's testimony: https://bit.ly/40S7iug News and Activities for the Communities 1. APA Justice Community Calendar Upcoming Events: 2025/02/10 Federal Employees: What are my whistleblower rights?2025/02/12 Federal Employees: How might my benefits be affected?2025/02/13 China Initiative: Impacts and Implications2025/02/13-15 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting2025/02/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/18 Protecting Our Organizations: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Compliance Virtual Training2025/02/23 World Premier of "Quixotic Professor Qiu" with Xiaoxing Xi2025/03/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/03/12 MSU Webinar on China InitiativeVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details. # # # APA Justice Task Force is a non-partisan platform to build a sustainable ecosystem that addresses racial profiling concerns and to facilitate, inform, and advocate on selected issues related to justice and fairness for the Asian Pacific American community. For more information, please refer to the new APA Justice website under development at www.apajusticetaskforce.org . We value your feedback. Please send your comments to contact@apajustice.org . Back View PDF February 10, 2025 Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter

Civic Engagement Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to customize this theme across your site. You can update and reuse text themes.